Treatment Basics

Appointments and Lab Work

Your condition and response to treatment need to be carefully monitored, so it’s important to keep all appointments with your doctor so he or she can examine you in person, discuss how you’re feeling, and order whatever tests are required to monitor your progress.

At a minimum, your doctor will likely want you to have periodic blood tests, which may include the following:

Liver function tests (LFTs): A group of blood tests that help determine how well your liver is functioning; used to evaluate and monitor liver disease or damage.

Prothrombin time (PT or INR): Measures how long it takes blood to clot; used to check for bleeding problems.

Sodium and potassium levels: Sodium and potassium are electrolytes that help keep the water balance of the body; used to check kidney function and monitor dehydration.